PlayStation Deal Hunter

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Lean how to find the best prices for your system of choice.

By Ryan Clements

It's no secret that videogames are incredibly expensive. Out of all the hobbies you could have selected (besides exotic big game hunting), videogames are among the pricier options. Whether you're a casual gamer just looking for a few good titles to pass the time, or a hardcore fanatic that feels compelled to own every Final Fantasy across all platforms, videogames will eventually bleed your wallet (or purse) dry.

Fortunately, not all hope is lost for the cash-starved gamer. With a pinch of patience and a little bit of luck, you can find some fantastic deals to help save money for more important things, like food, school supplies and... more games. We're going to share a few basic tips and tricks on where to find the best deals so you can keep your bank account in the black. If you have access to the internet (you're reading this article, right?) or a way to scoot around town, chances are you can buy great games at a good price. While some of the information below might be common knowledge to the utterly cheap members of the videogame community, you'd be surprised at some of the deals you can find.

We all know that good deals come and go every day, so the money-conscious consumer has to keep his or her eyes peeled whenever possible to catch the bargains when they first come up. But there are a lot of fantastic (and free) resources that can help you keep your ear to the ground for penny-saving rumbles. If you're relatively new to the videogame scene, one of the best ways to join the party is picking up a console bundle. The advantage to waiting a while after a new system is released is being able to snag a bundle, which usually saves you quite a bit of money. Bundles pack in games and -- more often than not -- accessories that you'll likely need anyway, so you might as well get them packaged together.

Money in the bag.

Heading over to a standard online retailer like EB Games or GameStop (they're basically identical) and clicking on a platform will lead you to the platform specific page, where you can then dive into their system lists. Here you can find currently released bundles like the 160 GB PS3 Uncharted package for $499.99 or the Ratchet and Clank PSP bundle for $199.99. EB/GameStop even has a "Price Drops" tab over on the left which is a good place to check out as well.

But the aforementioned standard retailers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to deals. Amazon usually has very reasonable prices, especially when you opt for its free Super Saver shipping service that comes with purchases over $25. If you navigate over to Amazon's videogame department, you'll see another great resource that's absolutely worth checking: Deal of the Day. Just look for the Mario Bros. coin block and you'll find a new appetizing deal every day that often features fairly new products. Unfortunately there's really no telling what you'll get on any given day and it expands across all platforms, but we've seen more than enough PlayStation games featured here to make it a worthwhile resource.

Another option to consider is to keep your eyes peeled for updates on the official PlayStation Blog. Usually the fine folks that manage the site focus on game news and special features, but come Thursday, posts are made that document the most recent additions to the PlayStation Network. Often times, that means announcements of special downloadable deals and price drops that happen on the PlayStation Store. For example, Super Stardust HD -- an amazing game all around -- has at several points been offered at a reduced price to coincide with holidays and other special events. The PlayStation Blog will also break news about new bundles so you can have a heads-up when something is heading to retail.

Of course, if you're willing to endure the "delightful" idiosyncrasies of the online gaming community, you can check out such sites such as Cheap Ass Gamer, which is forum-driven community that keeps track of deals across the country and also online. This is a great resource if you're short on time and want to do a quick scan of the most recently discovered deals. We've certainly found great stuff on the site before and recommend it to anyone accustomed to cruising through boards and blogs in search of a penny to save.

You can have me for a very reasonable price.

We should also take a moment to mention that for those of you that have access to a Fry's Electronics, there are a bevy of deals to be found in the store. Cheap Ass Gamer will often narrow in on specific steals, but just browsing one of the retail outlets can uncover some phenomenal prices not only for games but other electronics as well. The only downside, really, is the fact that Fry's is limited to the West Coast and customer service can leave something to be desired, but you'll walk away with some admirable purchases if you can make it to the store.

Naturally, the cheapest games you'll find are -- more often than not -- going to be used. If you don't mind getting used retail games, there are a lot of options available to you for getting the most out of your paycheck. Local game stores generally have a bargain bin that offers at least a few gems amidst the total garbage. All you need to do is have a little patience and sort through them one at a time.

Alternatively, cruise over to Craigslist or eBay for finding some solid merchandise online. Remember, Craigslist is not always about new furniture and apartments -- people sell games there, too.

The above tips are just the beginning of your deal hunting journey. The best advice we can give you is to be patient and check your favorite stores and sites often, especially around the holidays. With just a touch of effort, the savings you'll take home will definitely add up. We'll end now with a few examples of some appealing offers we came across today: